Survey of Water Use and Management Practices on US Golf Courses from 2005 to 2024

Concerns about water scarcity, quality, cost, and energy as well as climate change, and resource-use efficiency have placed increased pressure on the golf industry to reduce irrigation demands and adopt sustainable water management practices. Understanding trends in water use and conservation strategies is critical for evaluating the industry’s response and identifying areas for improvement. We assessed long-term trends in irrigation volume, water sources, irrigated acreage, and management practices across US golf courses from 2005 to 2024. Data were collected through national surveys conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, with responses analyzed by region, facility type, and irrigation practice. Historical comparisons were made across 4 survey years (2005, 2013, 2020, and 2024) to evaluate temporal changes. Total projected irrigation declined 31% nationally from 2005 to 2024, with applied water per acre decreasing by 15%. Although all regions reported reductions since 2005, most experienced slight increases in water use since 2020, except for the Southwest, where usage declined by 16.9%. Irrigated acreage decreased by 11% since 2005, primarily as a result of facility closures, whereas per-course irrigated area increased. Use of recycled water dropped 15% nationally in 2024, despite its historical growth, likely a result of competition from other sectors, rising treatment costs that may lead to greater use costs and less availability for golf courses. Adoption of handheld moisture sensors and irrigation audits increased since 2020, indicating a shift toward data-informed water use, although infrastructure upgrades have remained relatively unchanged. These findings are relevant for water managers, policymakers, and turfgrass professionals, as they demonstrate both progress and remaining challenges in efficient landscape irrigation. Golf courses can serve as models for urban water conservation when guided by evidence-based management and strategic capital investment.